DRIVESCOREOur auto expert reviewers have awarded this score, after thoroughly testing this car.

Stunning and spacious interior

Standard seven-seat layout

Clever and convenient tech

Feels like a big car on the road

Active suspension can feel unnatural

VALUE

7.0

SAFETY

10.0

COMFORT

8.0

PERFORMANCE

7.5

RESALE

6.0

SERVICING

6.0

SPACE

9.0

HANDLING

7.5

ECONOMY

6.0

CONNECTIVITY

10.0

OVERALL

8.5

Charles Darwin would likely be scratching his silvery beard trying to determine the origins of the modern luxury SUV.

In what has evolved to become the dominant species of luxury car, there is plenty of debate about which car spawned the breed. The original Range Rover certainly transformed the four-wheel drive from a mud-plugging farm hand to a white collar wagon, and Land Rover often refers to it as the first luxury off-roader.

But Mercedes-Benz also stakes its paternity over the concept with its first-generation ML-Class, a car it says was the first high-rider from a genuine luxury brand.

Whatever the case - and good luck with that one Charlie - the German brand's mid-sized soft roader is on its way to overtaking the C-Class as the three-pointed star's best-selling model.

Its popularity is about to accelerate too with the launch of the fourth-generation American-built SUV, the all-new GLE.

Can I afford the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

The GLE will arrive in Australian showrooms before the middle of 2019 with an initial line-up that consists of three family-focused variants, the entry-level GLE 300d with a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, the mid-spec GLE 400d with a turbo diesel six-cylinder and the range-topping GLE 450 powered by a high-tech mild hybrid petrol six-cylinder.

Final price and specifications will be locked down closer to the official launch, but Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed that all three variants will be offered with a seven-seat configuration as standard (a five-seat layout can be ordered as a no-cost option) with each featuring an all-wheel drive transmission with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

The current line-up starts at a competitive $92,900 for the base-model GLE 250d, which undercuts rivals from Audi, BMW, Range Rover and Porsche, but the new model is almost certainly going to be more expensive due to a raft of new technologies that are likely to be fitted as standard.

More variants will be added in years to come, with plug-in hybrid and high-performance AMG models in the pipeline and, almost certainly, a fully-electric EQ model.

What do you get for your money?

Amongst the highlights, the GLE adopts a holistic interior makeover that brings with it the Digital Widescreen Cockpit display first introduced on the S-Class that sandwiches two 12.3-inch displays together for the instrument panel and infotainment system. In terms of the latter, it incorporates the cutting-edge MBUX connectivity interface recently revealed in the new A-Class that uses artificial intelligence, augmented reality and voice recognition software to become a virtual concierge in much the same way as Apple's Siri and Google Assistant.

Proving how quickly Mercedes is improving the system, the GLE introduces some new features with specific off-road applications, the ability to read and dictate emails within the 'In-Car Office' system and integration of more third-party apps, such as Jay-Z's Tidal music streaming service, at least in Europe.

It also brings some clever gesture control functions, such as the passenger footwell automatically illuminates when the driver reaches over the centre console (if there isn't anyone in the passenger seat), the car presuming they're looking for something, while the overhead lights can be activated by briefly extending a hand towards the rear-view mirror. Cleverly, it recognises whether the driver or passenger is making the movement.

Beyond that, each model is likely to have full leather interior trim (with increasing levels of quality and coverage in higher-spec models) as well as multi-zone climate control and a huge array of USB-C power outlets throughout the cabin as well as conveniences like an automated tailgate.

How safe is the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Mercedes is claiming the GLE will be the safest SUV in its class with even more semi-autonomous driving functions than the flagship S-Class, including adaptive cruise control that responds to live traffic information before the driver or its radar sensors can physically see hazards ahead.

It can also drive itself in heavy traffic at speeds up to 60km/h, will apply the automated braking when turning across an intersection if it detects oncoming traffic and issues a warning when passengers alight the vehicle if the Blind Spot monitor picks-up a vehicle or cyclist approaching from behind.

That's all on top of the protection provided by nine airbags with curtains that cover third-row occupants and a full suite of electronic driver aids, including a 360-degree camera with automated parking assistance.

How much space does the GLE have?

One of the key attributes that has allowed Mercedes to bring the GLE with a standard seven-seat configuration is the car is physically bigger than its predecessor.

Measuring 4924mm in overall length, 1947mm wide and riding on a wheelbase with 2995mm between the front and rear axles, the new GLE is 105mm longer, 12mm wider and has an 80mm extension to its wheelbase over its predecessor. The only dimension where it shrinks is in overall height, with the sleeker body lowering its roofline by 24mm.

What that all equates to is a significantly bigger cabin with a generous amount of space, especially in the middle row where legroom has been extended by 69mm when the sliding bench is positioned in its most rearward location.

It also ensures a huge amount of cargo space, with the boot measuring 825L in capacity (135L more than before) in five-seat configuration and upto 2055 with the second-row folded flat.

But it also means the third row is useable. While not as capacious as the dedicated seven-seat GLS that sits above it, the GLE's rear seats are comfortable enough to carry young kids regularly or a couple of adults for short trips.

What's the interior like?

No matter which seat you're in, the GLE's cabin is significantly more luxurious and modern than its ageing predecessor.

While the exterior design is evolutionary, carrying signature styling cues such as the shark fin-inspired C-pillar that harks back to the original ML-Class, there is nothing old about its interior design, which has a real sense of wow factor about it.

Most of that comes from the plank of digital screens that dominates the dashboard, sitting in front of a finned recess that runs across into the passenger side, looking as though it features a large air vent... but doesn't. Instead, there's a series of four rectangular outlets in the curvy wood panel that supports it and above a beautifully tactile row of buttons that control the basics of the ventilation system (more complex adjustments can be made through the MBUX screen).

Running between the two front seats is centre console with a flip-top binnacle and a covered storage tray with wireless charging that are separated by a pair of grab handles which flank the new touchpad controller.

It's a thoughtful and theatrical piece of interior design that is matched by high-quality materials and a booming Burmester audio system (which will most likely be an option in lower-grade variants and standard in the flagship models) that makes for a comfortable family runabout, no matter whether it's crossing the suburbs or the country.

What's the tech like?

If you are the adventurous type, the GLE also brings some neat off-roading party tricks designed to keep you out of trouble - and continuing on your journey.

Tapping into the 48-volt electrical architecture of the flagship GLE 450 (or fitted with a 48-Volt battery in the GLE 400d), the car can be equipped with a complex active air suspension set-up - dubbed E-Active Body Control by Mercedes - that not only can adjust the ride height for greater ground clearance when off the beaten path, and lower it for improved road holding and better aerodynamics on the highway, but the driver can vary the ride height of individual wheels in extreme conditions to ensure each corner has maximum traction.

Then there's the Free Driving Assistant function, which bounces the car for 45 seconds to release it when stuck in soft sand. We didn't get a chance to test out its effectiveness during our preview drive in San Antonio, Texas, but we couldn't resist bobbling down the road (it only works at speeds up to 15km/h) like a low rider. And you will too... it's hilarious.

The E-Active Body Control benefits the GLE's on-road manners too, with a Curve function that leans the car into corners at up to three degrees - like a motorcycle - to reduce the lateral forces on the occupants while a stereo camera scans the road surface immediately ahead of the car and pre-emptively adjusts the individual dampers to reduce body movement over bumps.

What's under the bonnet of the GLE?

The GLE 300d is powered by a new-generation 2.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder that produces a healthy 180kW of power at 4200rpm and a substantial 500Nm of torque on a band of revs between 1600-2400rpm, giving the entry-level car the capability of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds while consuming a claimed average of 6.1L/100km.

While it's all the engine you'll ever likely need for a suburban runabout, those that want a bit more can opt for the GLE 400d with its creamy 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo diesel, which generates 243kW at 3600-400rpm and has a mammoth 700Nm of torque from just 1200rpm. It clocks triple figures in 5.8 seconds and has an average consumption figure of 7.0L/100km.

The flagship GLE 450 is fractionally quicker (5.7 seconds to 100km/h) and has a claimed average of 8.3L/100km from its high-tech 3.0-litre turbo petrol in-line six-cylinder that, on its own, produces 270kW and 500Nm, but is boosted by an electric motor sandwiched between the flywheel and gearbox that brings an additional 16kW and 250Nm for short bursts of acceleration.

What's the Mercedes-Benz GLE like to drive?

The end result of the GLE's new tech instantly elevates it toward the top of the luxury SUV class.

In any of the variants, it's a classy-looking, spacious family truckster that's loaded with thoughtful convenience, and, in reality, the 300d is probably all the SUV you'll ever need.

The four-cylinder is creamy smooth, has plenty of shove when on the move and uses the broad spread of ratios in the nine-speed auto to mask its narrow power band. It also steers nicely, is whisper quiet and relatively compliant over bumps on its standard steel-spring suspension set-up - although it can't quite hide its high centre of gravity and 2165kg kerb weight as it feels a little top-heavy when you tip it into a corner.

We didn't get a chance to sample the higher-powered GLE 400d during our Texan test drive, but it's easy think it's grunty six-cylinder makes it both quicker in a straight line and more effortless around town and out on the open road.

Instead, we spent the majority of time behind the wheel of the GLE 450 with its mild-hybrid powertrain and fully active suspension - both of which combine to make the flagship a silky smooth machine in any environment.

The engine, for starters, feels as though it has a much bigger capacity than its 3.0-litres, with the electric motor filling in the bottom end while the turbo charger builds boost for an instantaneous surge of acceleration. It does it all so seamlessly too.

When on-song, the engine revs quickly and produces a sweet exhaust note in the upper reaches of the rev range that makes it quite an engaging machine to punt along swiftly.

The suspension, meanwhile, is waving a magic wand over the road that almost makes bumps disappear underneath.

It isn't quite as plush as a S-Class or, at the other end, as sporty as an AMG GT coupe, as the GLE feels as though its dancing on its tippy toes in the default Comfort setting and its heavy 21-inch alloys can thump in deep potholes. Some of that flightiness can be cancelled out somewhat by the active Curve function, which is more pronounced in the GLE than the S-Class Coupe where it was first introduced, but it also makes the car feel a little unnatural.

We found its sweet spot is in the Sport mode where the damping is a little tighter and the steering has a bit more weight across its ratio, ensuring the GLE is more hunkered down without spoiling its bump absorption qualities.

Is the all-new GLE right for me?

In the end, Mercedes' mid-sized SUV has come a long way from its prehistoric originator, which was immortalised on the silver screen in the sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster Jurassic Park when it was launched in 1997.

The fourth-generation model has evolved into one of the smartest cars on the planet, and one that is more practical, more stylish, more spacious and more luxurious than ever before.